Gotoh Locking Tuners, HAP or not?

[vodka]

How many of you using Gotoh HAP tuners?
Looking at the HAP models they look so fragile/many smaller details in tuner itself, how good is this staggered thing for Fender headstock(with retainer on B,E strings) that HAP provides?
Is there really any advantage of steeper string angle vs "smaller details in tuner=not so good for metal to wood resonance"?

I'm about to change tuners to Gotoh magnum lock(SDS510), but not sure if i need HAPM model.

Thoughts?

[Embenny]

Can't comment on these tuners specifically, but I can comment on your "metal to wood resonance" question.

After your strings contact the nut, there is no resonance. That portion of string is acoustically inert. The construction of a tuner has no effect on tone beyond the mass it adds to the headstock (more mass = more sustain, slightly) and the break angle at the nut, and even then, it's more a matter of sufficient vs insufficient break angle, where it being too flat results in open strings sounding buzzy or choked out.

[andy_tchp]

Had them on a Jazzmaster.

Hated them on a Jazzmaster.

Fucking ridiculous ordeal to adjust the post height, and doesn't increase break angle in any meaningful way anyway (still requires a string tree for adequate down force over the nut for 'B' and 'E' strings.)

Shithouse to restring, especially compared to the ease of restringing with regular slotted post 'Kluson style' Gotohs.

Went back to the regular non locking, non height adjustable post ones - like the ones fitted to AVRIs and CIJ Fenders (also made by Gotoh).

These are attempting to fix things that aren't broken (regular slotted type are perfect), are more difficult to use, and cost more as an added insult.


Just in case there's any ambiguity, I would not recommend this product...